Grace Tierney
@wordfoolery.bsky.social
Word history - books, blog, LMFMRadio
Comedyfic - Channillo
Love to read, craft, garden in Ireland
My Books - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Weekly Word Blog - http://www.wordfoolery.wordpress.com/
Newsletter - subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers
Comedyfic - Channillo
Love to read, craft, garden in Ireland
My Books - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Weekly Word Blog - http://www.wordfoolery.wordpress.com/
Newsletter - subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers
7) Love Christmas history and words? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/3XPdS4h
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
7) Love Christmas history and words? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/3XPdS4h
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is wreath.
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Today's #ChristmasWordfoolery is wreath.
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
The first decoration up in my house every December is the wreath on the front door but the earliest wreaths weren’t Christian. They were symbols of victory and power in Greece and Rome. #etymology #history 🧵🎄💙📚
6) In many European countries gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve but the morning of the 25th is more common in Britain, Ireland, and North America.
Love Christmas history and words? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/3XPdS4h
Love Christmas history and words? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/3XPdS4h
December 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
6) In many European countries gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve but the morning of the 25th is more common in Britain, Ireland, and North America.
Love Christmas history and words? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/3XPdS4h
Love Christmas history and words? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/3XPdS4h
4) It began in the 1400s but it wasn’t until the late 1700s that gift giving between family members became established. The Puritans reckoned it was a pagan observance and banned it in England and North America.
December 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
4) It began in the 1400s but it wasn’t until the late 1700s that gift giving between family members became established. The Puritans reckoned it was a pagan observance and banned it in England and North America.
This week's blog about the word history of Advent - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/01/c.... I'll be sharing a Christmas #etymology daily in December. I mean, I did write an entire book on the subject - "Words Christmas Gave Us" #ChristmasWordfoolery 🎄📚💙
December 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This week's blog about the word history of Advent - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2025/12/01/c.... I'll be sharing a Christmas #etymology daily in December. I mean, I did write an entire book on the subject - "Words Christmas Gave Us" #ChristmasWordfoolery 🎄📚💙
7) If you're interested in the stories behind winter festive words you might like my book "Words Christmas Gave Us" (paperback, hardback, kindle). If you dislike Black Friday, maybe check it out tomorrow instead? 😉 Buy links are here - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
November 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
7) If you're interested in the stories behind winter festive words you might like my book "Words Christmas Gave Us" (paperback, hardback, kindle). If you dislike Black Friday, maybe check it out tomorrow instead? 😉 Buy links are here - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Tune in to LMFM radio today at 2 o'clock (or listen online at www.lmfm.ie ) - I'll be chatting with Gerry about the #etymology and stories behind rambunctious, mediocre, crenelate, and drench. Our mystery word is lunting. Podcast link later in comments.
November 28, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Tune in to LMFM radio today at 2 o'clock (or listen online at www.lmfm.ie ) - I'll be chatting with Gerry about the #etymology and stories behind rambunctious, mediocre, crenelate, and drench. Our mystery word is lunting. Podcast link later in comments.
7) Curious about festive words and customs worldwide? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" - hardback, paperback, Kindle - amzn.to/3XPdS4h
November 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
7) Curious about festive words and customs worldwide? Check out "Words Christmas Gave Us" - hardback, paperback, Kindle - amzn.to/3XPdS4h
This is your annual reminder that if it wasn't for the Vikings, we'd still be talking about coecel (Old English) instead of cake. Thank you, Old Norse. To read about the many other English words we "borrowed" from the Vikings, try "Words the Vikings Gave Us" wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ 🎂🪓
November 26, 2025 at 10:19 AM
This is your annual reminder that if it wasn't for the Vikings, we'd still be talking about coecel (Old English) instead of cake. Thank you, Old Norse. To read about the many other English words we "borrowed" from the Vikings, try "Words the Vikings Gave Us" wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ 🎂🪓
It's that time of year again. If you'd like a signed copy (or a set of four) of my word history books for the history/language buff in your life please get in touch soon as orders close on December 1st to ensure delivery by 25th. All details at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/would-you-li... #giftideas
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 AM
It's that time of year again. If you'd like a signed copy (or a set of four) of my word history books for the history/language buff in your life please get in touch soon as orders close on December 1st to ensure delivery by 25th. All details at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/would-you-li... #giftideas
I chatted with Art on the Cozy #Christmas Podcast recently about "Words Christmas Gave Us" amzn.to/3XPdS4h my history of festive words, traditions, and folklore worldwide.
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I chatted with Art on the Cozy #Christmas Podcast recently about "Words Christmas Gave Us" amzn.to/3XPdS4h my history of festive words, traditions, and folklore worldwide.
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
If you love this time of year, give it a listen. 🎄📚💙
cozychristmas.libsyn.com/scurryfunge-...
#Christmasgift print and #Kindle
Took a trip to Dublin to visit Marsh's Library today, and to get started on some gift shopping. Found this lovely rose in bud in their small hidden garden. No idea of the variety but spirit-lifting to see in late November. #bloomscrolling
November 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Took a trip to Dublin to visit Marsh's Library today, and to get started on some gift shopping. Found this lovely rose in bud in their small hidden garden. No idea of the variety but spirit-lifting to see in late November. #bloomscrolling
Happy Book Birthday to my digital-only mini-book "Modern Words with Old Roots", launched in 2022. Everything from avatar to zarf is in here. This is the one Susie Dent complimented on "Countdown" so it will always have a special spot in my heart!
#Kindle at amzn.eu/d/4JGA1E6 📚💙 #booksky
#Kindle at amzn.eu/d/4JGA1E6 📚💙 #booksky
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Happy Book Birthday to my digital-only mini-book "Modern Words with Old Roots", launched in 2022. Everything from avatar to zarf is in here. This is the one Susie Dent complimented on "Countdown" so it will always have a special spot in my heart!
#Kindle at amzn.eu/d/4JGA1E6 📚💙 #booksky
#Kindle at amzn.eu/d/4JGA1E6 📚💙 #booksky
Explore the vibrant tapestry of Christmas through history with "Words Christmas Gave Us". Learn how Vikings, Tudors, and Dickens shaped seasonal traditions!
#History #Christmas #FunFacts #Kindle #etymology paperback hardback📚💙 🎄
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
#History #Christmas #FunFacts #Kindle #etymology paperback hardback📚💙 🎄
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
November 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Explore the vibrant tapestry of Christmas through history with "Words Christmas Gave Us". Learn how Vikings, Tudors, and Dickens shaped seasonal traditions!
#History #Christmas #FunFacts #Kindle #etymology paperback hardback📚💙 🎄
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
#History #Christmas #FunFacts #Kindle #etymology paperback hardback📚💙 🎄
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
2) A century later kindle also had figurative meaning for igniting passions. The name of the reading device was devised by San Francisco designer Michael Cronan with a deliberate nod to the original Norse word.
All my etymology books are available for your Kindle. wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
All my etymology books are available for your Kindle. wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
November 19, 2025 at 12:52 PM
2) A century later kindle also had figurative meaning for igniting passions. The name of the reading device was devised by San Francisco designer Michael Cronan with a deliberate nod to the original Norse word.
All my etymology books are available for your Kindle. wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
All my etymology books are available for your Kindle. wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
4) Long John Silver is nearly always depicted as having a wooden leg but in “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson he is described as using crutches and no artificial leg is ever mentioned.
Love nautical words and stories? Check out "Words the Sea Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/2D3bSi7
Love nautical words and stories? Check out "Words the Sea Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/2D3bSi7
November 14, 2025 at 5:28 PM
4) Long John Silver is nearly always depicted as having a wooden leg but in “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson he is described as using crutches and no artificial leg is ever mentioned.
Love nautical words and stories? Check out "Words the Sea Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/2D3bSi7
Love nautical words and stories? Check out "Words the Sea Gave Us" by Grace Tierney amzn.to/2D3bSi7
My newsletter Wordfoolery Whispers is out on Fri 14th Nov. Read about a Mystery Tour, Podcasting, Blog Highlights, Good Books and histories for opsimathy, ramfeezled, pettifogging, crenelate, and drench.
Subscribe at subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers & remember to confirm email. #etymology
Subscribe at subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers & remember to confirm email. #etymology
November 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
My newsletter Wordfoolery Whispers is out on Fri 14th Nov. Read about a Mystery Tour, Podcasting, Blog Highlights, Good Books and histories for opsimathy, ramfeezled, pettifogging, crenelate, and drench.
Subscribe at subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers & remember to confirm email. #etymology
Subscribe at subscribepage.io/wordfoolerywhispers & remember to confirm email. #etymology
Love Christmas histories, traditions, and quirky words?
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology
#Christmas paperback hardback 🎄📚💙 #booksky
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology
#Christmas paperback hardback 🎄📚💙 #booksky
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
November 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Love Christmas histories, traditions, and quirky words?
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology
#Christmas paperback hardback 🎄📚💙 #booksky
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology
#Christmas paperback hardback 🎄📚💙 #booksky
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
5) His first device led to the creation of the laser microphone which is credited with the discovery of Bin Laden’s hiding place in 2011.
If you enjoy reading about the people whose names entered the dictionary check out "How To Get Your Name in the Dictionary" amzn.to/2ygxZMH
If you enjoy reading about the people whose names entered the dictionary check out "How To Get Your Name in the Dictionary" amzn.to/2ygxZMH
November 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
5) His first device led to the creation of the laser microphone which is credited with the discovery of Bin Laden’s hiding place in 2011.
If you enjoy reading about the people whose names entered the dictionary check out "How To Get Your Name in the Dictionary" amzn.to/2ygxZMH
If you enjoy reading about the people whose names entered the dictionary check out "How To Get Your Name in the Dictionary" amzn.to/2ygxZMH
Hi, I'm Grace & I write books about the history behind unusual English words - nautical, vikings, eponyms, and Christmas words. I also made the crochet wreath and the pumpkin (from old IKEA cushion covers). You can find more about my etymology/history books at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ 🦇🎃
October 31, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Hi, I'm Grace & I write books about the history behind unusual English words - nautical, vikings, eponyms, and Christmas words. I also made the crochet wreath and the pumpkin (from old IKEA cushion covers). You can find more about my etymology/history books at wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ 🦇🎃
Happy #Halloween from Wordfoolery, and Batty!
Here's a couple of spooky word histories to get your evening off to a properly eldritch and macabre start...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/e...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/m...
#etymology 👻🎃
Here's a couple of spooky word histories to get your evening off to a properly eldritch and macabre start...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/e...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/m...
#etymology 👻🎃
October 31, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Happy #Halloween from Wordfoolery, and Batty!
Here's a couple of spooky word histories to get your evening off to a properly eldritch and macabre start...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/e...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/m...
#etymology 👻🎃
Here's a couple of spooky word histories to get your evening off to a properly eldritch and macabre start...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/e...
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/m...
#etymology 👻🎃
Tune in today at 2pm on LMFM Radio where I'll be looking at the history of some spooky words - mummy, jettatura, occult, and oblivion. Our mystery word is collieshangie. Listen live at www.lmfm.ie and I'll share podlink later.
#etymology #Halloween 👻🎃📚
#etymology #Halloween 👻🎃📚
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Tune in today at 2pm on LMFM Radio where I'll be looking at the history of some spooky words - mummy, jettatura, occult, and oblivion. Our mystery word is collieshangie. Listen live at www.lmfm.ie and I'll share podlink later.
#etymology #Halloween 👻🎃📚
#etymology #Halloween 👻🎃📚
Words the Vikings Gave Us - 300 words from ships, food, farming, romance, myths, daily life, politics - akimbo, kiss, ombudsman, bluetooth, frisbee, thing, and yule.
Ideal for word & history lovers.
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology #vikings #Kobo paperback
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Ideal for word & history lovers.
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology #vikings #Kobo paperback
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
October 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Words the Vikings Gave Us - 300 words from ships, food, farming, romance, myths, daily life, politics - akimbo, kiss, ombudsman, bluetooth, frisbee, thing, and yule.
Ideal for word & history lovers.
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology #vikings #Kobo paperback
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Ideal for word & history lovers.
#Kindle #FunFacts #etymology #vikings #Kobo paperback
wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/
Happy Book Birthday to "Words Christmas Gave Us" which launched on this day last year. We managed the merry part of Merry Christmas pretty well at the event in Academy Books! Still available in ebook, paperback, and hardback - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ and the National Library of Ireland.
October 24, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Happy Book Birthday to "Words Christmas Gave Us" which launched on this day last year. We managed the merry part of Merry Christmas pretty well at the event in Academy Books! Still available in ebook, paperback, and hardback - wordfoolery.wordpress.com/my-books/ and the National Library of Ireland.
Day 4 of #IrishBookWeekChallenge: Share an Irish book you read recently. #IrishBookWeek
Love female #history? Irish #history? The lives of ten remarkable women overshadowed by famous Irish husbands
Love female #history? Irish #history? The lives of ten remarkable women overshadowed by famous Irish husbands
October 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Day 4 of #IrishBookWeekChallenge: Share an Irish book you read recently. #IrishBookWeek
Love female #history? Irish #history? The lives of ten remarkable women overshadowed by famous Irish husbands
Love female #history? Irish #history? The lives of ten remarkable women overshadowed by famous Irish husbands